After four years of dedicated engagement and partnership, CCA is most pleased to witness the public announcement of a rigorous and progressive carbon reduction programme by the Ocean Park (OP), which sets new standards in carbon management for the theme park industry.

In a press luncheon today, Ocean Park publicizes its targets to reduce absolute carbon emissions by 10% and its carbon intensity by 25% over the next 10 years, using 2011/12 as the base year. Professional and independent audit by CCA has shown that OP’s carbon emissions for this base year was 56,906 tonnes, about 80% of which came from its electricity consumption.

CCA Executive Director Dr Trini Leung was invited to present OP’s carbon story at today’s media event. She pointed out that “carbon footprint management and reduction is an important act of social responsibility of corporations of our time. We have been assisting OP to establish carbon management system and carbon reduction strategies in accordance to high standards since 2008.”

Looking back at how Ocean Park’s big leap forward began, Ir Albert Lai, CEO of Carbon Care Asia, said, “I remembered vividly that when I raised the subject of carbon management with the Board Chairman Dr Allan Zeman in 2008, I got an enthusiastic response over the phone. Though back then the term carbon strategy was rarely mentioned among local corporate leaders, the Ocean Park management immediately swung into action. The announcement was indeed a milestone after four years of hard work, encompassing innovation and integrated solutions in a carefully crafted carbon strategy.”

In response to calls from both the Hong Kong Government and the global community for pro-active carbon reduction measures, OP has developed an integrated carbon management programme which includes, among others, an energy-saving Life Support System for animals, solar-powered electric carts, waste management, as well as public education and staff training. On top of emissions reduction, this Carbon Management Plan is also expected to achieve utility savings of up to HK$70 million within its operational time span.

“OPC’s carbon program, built upon its strength in providing popular ‘edutainment’ to millions of visitors, is a valuable contribution from a leading Hong Kong corporation to the global call for climate actions. It has taken creative measures to engage its visitors. A good example is to enable visitors to voluntarily participate in carbon offset projects in China which benefit climate, local communities and biodiversity. No doubt more needs to be done but this is a bold step worthy of support by stakeholders and the community,” added Dr Leung.

(For more details of OP’s Carbon Management Plan, please visit their official website at
http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/footer/corporate-information/press/press.php?id=582)

Photo caption (photo by courtesy of Ocean Park):

CCA Executive Director Dr Trini Leung pictured with Ocean Park senior management representatives on the day of the Park’s public announcement of its 10-year Carbon Management Plan. The solar-powered electric cart in the photo is a vivid demonstration of the Park’s determination to turn itself into a low carbon theme park in the region. (From left: Dr Trini Leung, CCA Executive Director, Mr Frankie Hou, Senior Manager, Environmental, Health & Safety of Ocean Park, Mr Matthias Li, Deputy Chief Executive of Ocean Park and Mr George Tso, Executive Director, Engineering of Ocean Park.)